THE NEW YORKER in his early thirties. (I'm told he is, in chronological fact, forty-two. ) The pic- ture is a study of political and industrial ,'< corruption in Japan, and Mr. lVlifune plays the part of one of those secret, d lonely righters-of-wrong whom we met long ago in the pages of John Buchan and Edgar Wallace Perhaps we're more familiar with this sort of hero r than are the Japanese for whom the pIcture was made; In any event, I found the long-drawn-out anfractuosities of its plot dIstinctly tiresome and the dIsi]- lusionment Implied in the title and con- <$I firmed by the hero's death inartistic as well as juvenile. In a melodrama, it's a breach of etiquette for evil to triumph; the last reversal of fortune must always favor Robin Hood over the Shenff of Nottingham. " P LAYTIME" IS a maddening little French movie, made from what was no doubt a maddening little stor) bv Françoise Sagan. It stars Jean Seberg and Christian Marquand, and they're maddening, too. The movie is madden- ing because it keeps promising that it has something to say and that what it has to say and the reason for the pecul- iar way in which it's being said wil1 be re- vealed at the dénouement; but at the dénouement nothing is unknotted-the picture simpl) stops, with what ma) be a Gallic shrug and a silent, off-screen "T ant pis pour vous." Miss Seberg is maddening because she is so pretty and wIstful and nothing else, and M. Mar- quand is maddening because he is so big and handsome and nothing else. As us- ual, the French backgrounds are ravish- ing, and make LIS forgive the director, F rançois Moreuil, more than we should. -BRENDAN GILL . DEAR MR. TOSTA: RAISE HIGH THE ROOF BEA.Nl by Carpenters & Seymour will not be pub- lished until January 28, 1963. However, we are holding your order and will send for publication date, with bill at profes- sional discount Sincerely yours, FRANCES BENEDICT -Letter from Lzttle, Brown received by a college instructor. We don't know about Carpenters, but Seymour's a writing fool . NEATEST TRICK OF THE WEEK [From the Lewiston (Maine) Evenzng J ournall Speaking about the bill before the Legis- lature which would allow the construction of an area airport at Sidney, Jalbert said, "I'll vote 'yes' over my dead body." 123 (Advertisement) 0::." "<: ,+ 11I/ (1 Wouldn't you rather be in Flor da? Call your air, rail, bus or travel agent today about Florida. For free Pictorial Vacation Guide, wr te Sunshine, Box 2213-D, Tallahassee, Florida -? I , ALL 5 NEW BUT THE VIEW AND THE RATES ARE PLEASING TOO! 200 New Singles at $12 · New Doubles from $15 In the heart of New York's fashionable and convenient plaza neighborhood, enJoy completely new rooms and suites. Home of Cafe de fa Paix and Rumpelmayer's 50 Central Park South · New York 19 · PL 5.5800 MATINEE DANCING :7 THURSDAY and SATURDAY from 1 30 P M SUNDAY contmuous from 3 30 P M all day READY FOR FINE FURNITURE? Indulge yourself. Any decorator, dealer, or architect can arrange a visit to one of our three showrooms where you can select from the world's finest In both traditional and modern. 'c' '\ 'r i. \ " \ ..', M . Looking for an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon In town? Afternoon dancing is "m" and the town s smartest spot for a magic matinee of the newest and best In dancing IS ROSELAND with 2 great bands dellghtmg the world's smartest dancers All Included In One Modest AdmIssion Charge- NO EXTRASI NO TICKETS! NO HOSTESSES! I I , , I I & I I B T mtlg;l M DANCE CITY TERRRtsCl RRJJ A : MERCHANDISE MART CHICAGO 54 LOS ANGELES SAN FRANCISCO CONTINUOUS DANCING TO 2 GREAT BANDS NIGHtlY EXCEPT MONDAY MATINEES THURSDAY & SATURDAY . SUNDAY CONTINUOUS FROM 3:30 P M 52ND STREET WEST OF BROADWAV .,... .......